Electron discharge device



Dec. 5, 1933. G. D, O'NEILL 1,937,838

ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Aug. 20, 1927 INVENTOR Q3, D. ONE/LL ATTOR l Patented Dec. 54, 1933 VPArErrr "Fries A ELECTnoN DISCHARGE I DEvIoE George D. ONeill, Beverly,` Mass., assigner to f Westinghouse LamprCompany, a'corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 20,319.27. serial No. 214,339

a claims. (c1. 25o-2.7.5)

This invention relates to an electron discharge device` and more particularly to the internal structure or mount` for supporting the.` several electrodes thereof.

In the manufacture of electron dischargedef` vices such, for exampleas a radio tube or rectifier, it is necessary to provide asupporting structure to hold the several electrodes. For-example, in a discharge device employing a cathode, control electrode and anode, these several electrodes are supported in given spaced relation. The importance of theirelative positions ofthe electrodes will be appreciated, since any change with respect to this relation causes a variation in the operating characteristics of the device. v

`The supporting structure for holding the `electrodes usually comprises `what is termed a flare tube consisting of a tubular glass member having one end fiared and the other `end fused about support wires and vleading-in conductors. Thevsupport Wires serve to'hold the electrodes .initheir relative positions and the combined flare tube, supports and electrodesare `usually termedV a mount which constitute the internal structureof an electron discharge device when sealed into` an envelope such as a glass bulb, the bulb being fused to the flared portion of the flare tube.

The bulb is usually exhausted either by means `of a tipping off operation at the top of the bulb or by the employment of an exhaust tube sealed with the flare tube, thelatter being what is termed the tipless type of device.

Heretofore, various mountconstructions have been made but it has beenfound that by reason of the handling of the device either in transportation or by accidental impact, the electrodes would be displaced changing their relative space relation. The greatest `difficulty encountered in supporting the electrodes relates to the proper retention of the filament.

y Most filaments are of a relatively brittle character, particularly after they have been burned or flashed and any excess stress that may be imparted thereto Will cause a break in the filament.

It is an object, therefore, of vthe present invention to provide a mount structure for holding the various electrodes in proper spaced relation and in so supporting the filament as to avoid breakage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mount structure in which the varous electrodes may be moved as a unit without imparting any trodes in different spaced relationr as `a unit and to permit movement of the unit Without the apu plication of detrimental forces tending to` destroy the symmetrical relation of the electrodes.

The above objects are accomplished by providing means `for holding theseveral electrodes in fixed spaced relationas a unit, in supporting the unit above the press of the mount by means of 'flexible` members which permit a movement of the unit relative to the press, and further in kproviding leading-'in `conductors connecting the several electrodes with the press of such character as to permit a movement of the electrode unit Without imparting any detrimental stresses ,upon the electrodes.

With this construction it willbe readily appreciated that a device having the present form cf electrode unit may be subjected to severe handling and although the unit as a whole may be moved, there will be no relative movement of the electrodes to change their space relation and alter theoperating characteristics of the device.

Other objects` and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the invention Will be' more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which: A Fig. 1 is an `electron discharge device partly broken away to show the internal structure;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 3 is a plan vievvof the mount shown in Fig. 1.

A selected `embodiment of the invention may comprise a bulb 5 having a flare tube 6 sealed thereto at 7 in the usual manner. The nare tube may include the usual press 8 through which leading-in wires 9, lo and 1l. extend. These lead-` ing-in wires consist of a relatively flexible material and merely serve as conductors without any function of supporting the electrodes, the leading-in Wires 9 and l0 serving conductors for a filament l2, While leading-in wire 11 is connected to a grid 13.

As illustrated, the filament 12 is disposed withg in the grid and a plate 14 is provided to surround the grid. The filament, grid and plate are all held in fixed space relation by means of non conductive cross-members or bars 15 and 16. These crossnmembers are connected to i'iexible support members 17 and 18 by connectors `19, 20, 21 and 22. The flexible support members 17 and 18 may be secured to a clamp 28 fastened to the flare tube 6. The opposite ends of the members 17 and 18 may be secured to the plate 14.

The plate shown is constructed of tvvo sections riveted together and provided with flanges which engage and secure the plate to the upper ends of the supports 17 and 18, the said supports extending above the plate and being secured to the crossbar 15 by connectors 21 and 22. The grid of the device is connected at its upper ends with the cross-bar 15 by means 01"' connectors 24 and 25 and at its lower ends to cross-bar 16 by connectors 26 and 27.

Although any form of lament may be einployed, that of the inverted W type is shown and the lower ends thereof are connected to the crossmember 16 by connectors 28, 29 and 30, the upper ends of the lament are connected to flexible arms 31 and 32 which in turn are secured to rigid members 33 and 34 extending from the crossbar 15.

In order to hold more rigidly the cross-bars in fixed relative positions a pair of brace members 35 and 36 are provided and Welded or otherwise secured to connectors 19 and -21 and 20 and 22 respectively.

A leading-in connector 3'? is provided for the plate and may be connected to the resilient member 18. This conductor is also of flexible material and of suicient length to permit movement of the support member.

Although the above construction is described and shown in connection with a device employing a plate, grid and ilainent, it is obvious that the same arrangement and consolidation of the elements may be employed whether their number is more or less as, for example, a device may be constructed with or Without a grid.

From the foregoing, it Will be evident that by reason of the present arrangement and construction of mount, the several electrodesare held in rigid fixed relation as a unit and that this unit is resiliently supported at the upper ends by members 17 and 18. By reason of this construction, the unit is free to move as a Whole in the tube and since the leading-in conductors are so formed as not to retard such movement, no external stress will be imparted to the several electrodes and their position will not be disturbed nor will the ilament be subjected to any additional force which will tend to rupture or displace the same.

A device of the present character may, therefore, be handled and subjected to a reasonable amount of impact without the detrimental effects as here tofore occurred by reason of the change effected in the position of the electrodes or in the rupture of the filament.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electron discharge device comprising a bulb, a liare tube extending into said bulb, a pair of flexible support members extending from said iiare tube, a plate electrode secured to the ir-ee ends of said members and movable therewith, a grid and lament disposed in spaced relation within said plate, an insulative cross bar secured to said support members and oiifset from said plate and means for securing said grid and lament to said cross bar for movement as a unit vvith said plate on the free ends of said support members.

2. An electron discharge device comprising a bulb, a iiare tube extending into said bulb, a collar on said flare tube, a pair of exible support members having Vends secured to said collar, a plate electrode secured to the free ends of said members, insulative cross bars secured to said support members adjacent to said plate and means extending from said cross bars for holding a grid and lament in spaced relation to said plate.

3. An electron discharge device comprising a bulb, a pair of liexible support members extend ing from one end of said bulb, a plate electrode secured to the free ends of said members, a grid and filament, an offset insulative cross bar secure-:l 1'.;-

GEORGE D. ONEILL.

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